Franklin Street Pizza and Pasta: A College Staple

Franklin Street Pizza and Pasta, like many of the restaurants on Franklin Street, is practically part of the University of North Carolina. It's warm garlic knots, large and unique pizzas, and mix and match pasta dishes are invariably part of a UNC student's experience. Reasonably priced, fast, and convenient for co-eds and locals alike, this landmark's food and atmosphere are addictive.

Patrons order from the menu of pizzas, pastas, salads, subs, soups and desserts at a counter, take a number, and within minutes, have a steaming plate in front of them. Wait staff take orders, serve and bus the food -- there is no table service -- and they do so expediently.

The mouth-watering menu selections are almost impossible to choose from among. Appetizers include buffalo wings, fresh mozzarella with sliced tomatoes, fried mozzarella sticks, and the famous garlic knots. Available individually and by the half and whole dozen, these delectable treats of buttery dough and spices never stay on the table long. The salads -- Cesar, chef, antipasti and garden -- are generous and come with yummy dressings. The tomato basil is particularly interesting -- tangy, light, and a great introduction to the entrees. It's best to order a salad as a meal or split it with a friend, for they are served in very large portions. No side salads are available.

The restaurant's name does say it all when it comes to the entrees. Pizzas are served with the standard toppings found at most restaurants, but the baked pizzas are deliciously unique. From barbecue chicken to eggplant penne, these pizzas are stuffed with fresh ingredients and served piping hot. The spinach and cream cheese baked pizza is particularly delicious -- almost like a calzone. Pastas are made to order from a variety of pasta shapes and sauces, from marinara to seafood. The absolute best creation on the menu is the Carolina Pasta, a tomato cream sauce with garlic and feta. This Franklin Street Pizza and Pasta original is so good it could be served without the noodles.

Hot and cold subs are also popular items. Eggplant parmigiana, chicken cutlet and meatball subs are among the top sellers. Calzones and pops are also available.

Franklin Street Pizza and Pasta dishes are all under $10 (except for whole baked pizzas). Take-out is available, but the restaurant does not deliver. Tar Heel Take-Out, a delivery service for the Chapel Hill area, will deliver food from Franklin Street Pizza and Pasta at an extra charge. Visit www.tarheeltakeout.com for more information.

Franklin Street Pizza and Pasta is located at : 163 E. Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514. A second restaurant, Village Pizza and Pasta, is located at: 11312 US Hwy 15-501N, Chapel Hill, NC 27517.